http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-index.php? ... hael+James

What happened to this guy? Had a great debut season in 1991 then was never seen again. Was his good season a reflection of the general poor quality of the team in 1991? Were his skills not up to scratch? Did he lose interest in the game? Does anyone know?

I'm pretty sure he was at the club in 1992, but joined Andrew Phillips with the dreaded 'indefinite' injury. James injury may have been a groin (probably would be diagnosed as OP these days).

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Good question I L S. Could be good research assigmnment for a dedicated TC'er.

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1945 - End of round 3 Carlton was last.

Last round Carlton made the final four for the first time.

Eventual premiers.

That's what I'm talking about!

His father John was one of my early football heroes.

A tremendously versatile player. To be able to hold down a key position at under 6 foot was remarkable.

He was a good drinker

I remember him debuting in 91 but don’t remember him being great. Then again as you said the whole side struggled that year.

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#DonTheStash

Had a drink with him Rhys?

I know what happened to him,...




...he was wearing number 10.

That jumper is cursed!

James definitely had O P.

Showed a bit in the twos....but didn't have his Dad's talent or G & D.

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One of our very few Brownlow medallists im pretty sure.

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Walk on, Walk on,
With hope, in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE!!!

08/02/1981 - GATE 7...Our brothers will never be forgotten!!!

Johnny James, was a great, hard at it player. Probably played his best footy at half back.
An Andy McKay type would be a fair description, won the 1961 Brownlow, has lived in Robinvale for many years.
Yeah, enjoys a cooling ale on a warm day, but Hey it gets bloody hot in Robinvale

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Something must've been up for him not to be persevered with. He currently has the 10th best possession average of anyone who has played for the Blues since 1986. And that includes one game where he only got two possessions. 33 in his last game too.

I remember a classic Blues News article about him. I can't quite recall the specifics but it was something along the lines that when he was at school, his school footy team beat their record for goals scored in a match which had been set previously by John James and his schoolmates. And Michael beat John's individual goals in a game record with something crazy like 30 goals.

Would definitely make a great Blueseum article.

Michael James could definitely play. Showed a lot in a struggling side. God only knows what happened to him.

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A real Carlton supporter wouldnt have had to add "im pretty sure" they would have known.

When you gonna start your next tanking thread Gav?

I'm Mick James, bitch!

Heard that he liked to drink abit too much a bit too often

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

Thanks everyone - really appreciate the effort to shed some light on his story. I prefer the O.P. explanation to the drinking issue implying lack of discpiline!

I had a look in Holmesby and Main's Encyclopedia of AFL footballers (6th edition) and there is no info there on him whatsoever apart from his basisc stats!

Probably because he didn't play for St Kilda or the Swans.

Showed a lot in his debut season of 01 and really though he'd kick on.
Was beset by injury thereafter. Was certainly around for 03 as I remember his picture being in a finals record.
Was pretty slow though it must be said. Andrew Phillips was a bigger loss.